VES Back to School Bluebird
August/September 2020
The First Day of School Will Be Tuesday, September 8th!
Summer Greetings
Dear Village School Families,
I hope you are safe, healthy and enjoying the remaining days of summer. If you are returning to VES, welcome back! If you are new to our school community, welcome to our wonderful VES family and home of Blazer the Bluebird! Our entire team is looking forward to the start of the 2020-2021 school year!
This year will be unlike any other we've experienced, yet our team has been working hard to make it the best year possible for your children. I am so proud of our dedicated teachers, staff and administrators for their work this summer developing high quality academic instruction for all students. Our school and district community are committed to and actively engaged in work in support of: cultural responsiveness, anti-racism, equity and inclusion; technology innovation and the social and emotional development and well being of our students. We are here to support Villagers and families in any way we can.
During these challenging times it is important for all of us to model resilience while nurturing and developing this trait in our children. Together we will create a safe, positive and successful school year.
With warm regards,
Ms. Susan Lacy, Principal
The Montgomery Elementary Schools Parent Teacher Association (MES PTA)
Student Placement
Class lists and teacher welcome letters will be available on Parent Access on Friday, August 28th after 5:00 pm.
To View Student Placement Information:
1) Visit https://parents.mtsd.k12.nj.us
2) Enter your username, which is your email address, and your password. If you forget your password, use the "Forgot My Password" link. Your password will then be sent by email. If you are unable to log in or do not have an account, please contact Jaime Velez at jvelez@mtsd.us
3) Click on Course Pages and then select "homeroom".
Please note that you will only be able to access class list and teacher welcome letters once all required forms are completed. Please click here Parent letter re forms 2020.pdf for the letter regarding required forms from Mrs. Corie Gaylord, Director of Student Academic and Counseling Services that was eblasted on August 25th.
We have worked diligently to place your child in the best possible setting. Please know that at this time we will not be able to accommodate any requests for classroom changes. Thank you for understanding.
Supply List Information
Click here to find the general grade level supply lists that were shared in the spring. Please take note of the following new lists that you will see when you click the link:
- Additional Items that will be needed in October for in-person instruction
- Suggested Related Arts Supplies that will be helpful for virtual Music, Art and PE
- Teacher welcome letters may also include additional items specific to your classroom.
Chromebook Pickup
MTSD has the ability to send a Chromebook home with every student to support remote and hybrid learning. Students in the virtual-only cohort will keep the Chromebook home until in-school instruction resumes. Hybrid learning cohort students will carry the Chromebook to and from school each day. Chromebooks should charge overnight and come to school fully charged. Please instruct your child to transport the device safely in their backpack in a case or sleeve.
Chromebook pickups for Villagers will be at Montgomery High School, 1016 Route 601 Skillman, NJ 08558 as follows:
3rd Grade - Wednesday, September 2nd from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
4th Grade - Thursday, September 3rd from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
DIRECTIONS FOR CHROMEBOOK PICKUP:
Bring a letter-sized sheet of paper containing the following information:
Student’s Full Name (as listed in Parent Resources)
Student ID Number
Student Grade
Arrive at Montgomery High School at your designated time and pull up along the curb in front of the Science Eave (to the right of the Main Entrance).
Remain in your car and wear a mask. A staff member will come to your car to collect your information sheet(s) and momentarily return to issue your student Chromebook(s). Exit the campus immediately after collecting your Chromebook(s).
Please remember to follow all NJ State Social Distancing Guidelines and arrive on your designated day to keep yourself and others safe.
Stay Informed and Engaged
Be sure to open and read all communications from the Montgomery Township School District, VES, your child's teacher and other key members of our team in order to stay abreast of ever changing information.
Take some time to review our school handbook which includes detailed information about VES and the VES website to stay updated and informed throughout the year! You can also visit the school district website for all recent communications and alerts.
Free and reduced lunch information can also be accessed from the district website's home page.
We will be taking student attendance each day. If your child is unable to participate in virtual learning on any given day due to illness or anything else, please enter his/her absence in Genesis.
Thank you!
Virtual Parent Orientation Presentation
Our school community of teachers and administrators have worked diligently this summer to develop hybrid and virtual learning models that deliver highly effective standards-based instruction coupled with social-emotional learning.
To learn more about our models, parents are invited to join us for this presentation which will include information about the schedule, our academic and social-emotional programs and what your child can expect to experience during the school day. We will also share tips for virtual learning success and a review of the hybrid model. A Zoom meeting invite will be shared prior to the presentation which will be recorded for those unable to attend.
Thursday, Sep 3, 2020, 06:00 PM
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Newcomers' Reception for Families New to Montgomery
The Montgomery Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (MES PTA) invites 3rd and 4th grade families who are brand new to the Montgomery Township School District to join us for a virtual Newcomers' Reception. You will get to meet Principal Lacy, Assistant Principal, Mrs. Camuto, school counselors, Mrs. Fornal and Mrs. Schantz and PTA Co-Presidents, Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Huntley.
Invitations will be sent to all new families along with a meeting link for you to join this event.
Friday, Sep 4, 2020, 09:30 AM
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Third Grade Virtual Teacher Meet and Greets
During the Meet and Greet, teachers will also:
- review virtual learning expectations
- provide students with tips to help them to be academically successful
- support social and emotional well-being
- foster classroom community and spirit
Friday, Sep 4, 2020, 02:00 PM
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Fourth Grade Virtual Teacher Meet and Greets
During the Meet and Greet, teachers will also:
- review virtual learning expectations
- provide students with tips to help them to be academically successful
- support social and emotional well-being
- foster classroom community and spirit
Friday, Sep 4, 2020, 02:30 PM
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Virtual Back to School Night: Wednesday, October 7th
Third Grade 6:00 p.m.
Fourth Grade 7:00 p.m.
School Counselor Offerings
Our counselors, Mrs. Fornal and Mrs. Schantz, are both excited to start the school year. They provide social, emotional and academic support to any VES student in need. Throughout the school year, they offer individual and small group counseling to students who would benefit from additional support. To begin the year, they will be hosting virtual groups to support our newcomers so they can learn more about VES and build connections.
Feel free to reach out to them with any questions. Mrs. Schantz will be the fourth grade counselor and can be reached at jschantz@mtsd.us. Mrs. Fornal will be the third grade counselor and can be reached at lfornal@mtsd.us. You may also call 609-466-7606, extension 2246 for Mrs. Fornal, or extension 2501 for Mrs. Schantz. If you have any questions or concerns that require immediate attention, please contact the main office. Our counselors will be available for assistance once school resumes in September.